James Farthing, a 50-year-old ex-convict who won the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, is under arrest for allegedly kicking a deputy in the face. According to police, Farthing allegedly hit another man in the face during a heated dispute, which prompted a deputy to intervene. This intervention resulted in the alleged kick.
According to court documents obtained by The Smoking Gun, the event occurred on Tuesday, April 29, at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. According to court papers, Farthing assaulted a man after an argument earlier that evening. As the alleged incident began, a Pinellas County deputy attempted to break up “an in-progress fight between [Farthing] and another patron.”
Deputy Nicholas Areostatico attempted to do so, but Farthing allegedly kicked him in the face. Aerostatico alleged that he “observed the defendant winding up his right leg, kicking your affiant in the face in an attempt to injure and incapacitate myself.” Aerostatico reported experiencing pain in his face, which had enlarged and turned red under his right eye.
Further Details
The event did not end there, however. After allegedly kicking the deputy, Farthing attempted to flee the scene. The deputy had already instructed him to turn around and put his hands behind his back.
At the same time, Farthing’s girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, got into a furious argument with other visitors and her boyfriend. According to the documents, she tried to create conflicts. According to reports, Fightmaster was “intoxicated,” making incomprehensible claims while cursing and screaming.
As a result, James Farthing faced charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer, and battery. Farthing allegedly breached his parole. He is an ex-convict who was on parole until August 2025, according to WKYT. His previous convictions include narcotics charges, tampering with evidence, and involvement in organized crime, among others. His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was charged with public intoxication but later released.
One day prior to the event, Farthing, Fightmaster, and Farthing’s mother, Linda Grizzle, posed gleefully while collecting Farthing’s jackpot. Farthing bought the winning ticket at Georgetown’s Clark’s Pump n’ Shoo. Days later, he learned that he had won $167.3 million. He said at the time that he would split the money with his mother, Linda.
